Plans to replace “a deeply unattractive” 19th Century church with a grand new building which planners say would allow it to better serve the community have been rejected by councillors.

Reading Community Church in Oxford Road, West Reading, wanted to knock down its current building and build a three-storey church building with attached flats, offices, shops and a cafe.

The church was built in 1899 but English Heritage did not deem it to have significant enough merit to grant it listed status,

But the council’s planning committee refused the application after almost two hours of debate last Wednesday and a narrow vote after members expressed concerns about the size of the building and its impact on parking.

There were accusations from Green Party and Tory councillors on the planning committee that Labour members skewed the poll by voting as a group despite the committee not being whipped and therefore supposedly non-political.

Pastor Yinka Oyekan, head of the church, spoke at the meeting to present the plans. He said: “The building has some merit to the casual observer but it’s in increasing disrepair – it’s just a shell. The amount it will cost to keep it standing is way beyond what we think would be wise and diligent to spend.

"The church helps scores of people but there’s so much more we want to do to help people in Oxford Road. We want a modern, fit-for-purpose building that will serve the colourful residents of Oxford Road.”

Alan Magness, who works with Christian social network Impact Reading to run facilities at the church, said: “It would be throwing good money after bad to maintain a building which is a ruin.

“People matter more than buildings. The council wants to listen to communities – West Reading has massive needs and here’s an opportunity to provide some much-needed facilities.”

Councillors spent a long time debating the merits of the scheme.

Cllr Richard Willis said: “I find it deeply unattractive. It’s an ugly building and I don’t think it enhances the area or is worthy of preservation. It’s a large barn.”

Cllr Fred Pugh said: “I sit here as Reading Borough Council's heritage champion – I should be championing the retention of a well-known heritage building. But, quite frankly, it’s not a striking building. I’ve driven up and down there thousands of times and wasn’t aware of its existence it’s so inconsequential.

“The proposal is to replace it with what I consider to be a striking building – churches are supposed to be dominant buildings.”

But other councillors argued the church would be out of keeping with the area and the addition of shops and office facilities would attract more traffic than the roads could cope with.

Cllr Graeme Hoskin said: “It’s a subjective matter. It’s a building that will be missed. It does have a heritage value.

“The reasons for bringing this application forward are the right reasons but this is just too much for the area.”

Councillors voted eight to six to refuse the application and the church’s representatives were urged to come back with a plan that addressed the issues raised.